LaLiga - Matchday 32 - 16/04/2017 16:15h

Goalless draw for Valencia CF in all-action game against Sevilla FC

April, 16 2017 -

Valencia CF were held to a 0-0 draw at Mestalla in their Matchday 32 game against Sevilla FC, in what was a thrilling game only lacking in goals.

Coach Voro González made several changes to the side that beat Granada the previous weekend, putting Fabian Orellana and Munir El-Haddadi either side of Simone Zaza in place of Santi Mina and Joao Cancelo. Ezequiel Garay returned from injury to partner Eliaquim Mangala in the defence, and Enzo Pérez came back from suspension to occupy a midfield role.

The opening few minutes saw chances from a Munir header and a Simone Zaza volley, both just off target. Valencia CF opted for a counterattacking strategy in the early going, effectively dealing with Sevilla's superior possession.

Orellana forced a save from Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico with a powerful shot, before the away side had their first close call: Stevan Jovetic, fresh on as a sub following an injury to Vitolo, hit the post off a one-on-one with Diego Alves.

As the frenetic pace of the first half continued, as a header from Munir was cleared off the line by Mariano Ferreira. In the buildup, Martín Montoya had made an excellent run and produced a shot that Rico had pushed close to Munir. The move was not without controversy, as replays indicated that the striker's header may have crossed the line before Mariano's intervention.

There were further opportunities for Valencia CF in the first half courtesy of Zaza -with a header off Toni Lato's cross- and for Sevilla through Pablo Sarabia, but the first period came to a close with the score still 0-0.

After the restart, Munir took advantage of a Sevilla mistake at the back to bear down on goal. His strike from outside, however, went over the crossbar. Sevilla responded through shots from Escudero, who hit a long range effort wide, and Jovetic.

Zaza forced Rico into action for the first time in the second half with a 69th minute hit from inside the box. Valencia CF were largely defending, but were sturdy and able to make sporadic attacks of their own.

Voro made his first changes late on: He brought Cancelo on for Munir to occupy a spot on the right side of the forward line, and Nani on the left in place of Orellana. Neither they, nor third substitute Mina, could break the deadlock, however, and the points were shared at Mestalla.

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Photographs by Lázaro de la Peña, re-use is not permitted.